Croquet game



No. 620,460. I Patented Feb. 28, I899.

w. s. LAKE.

GBOHUET GAME.

(Application filed Ian. 90, 1898.)

(No Model.)

11v VENTOH Warner & Lake.

m: uokms PETERS cu, PnoTo-Llmu, WASHINGTON, u. c.

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVARNER G. LAKE, OF OSHKOSH, WVISCONSIN.

CROQU ET GAM E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 620,460, dated February 28, 1899.

Application filed January 20, 1898. Serial No. 667,276. (No model.)

I To all whom it may concern:

Be it known'that I, WARNER G. LAKE, residing at Oshkosh, in the county of IVinnebago and State of WVisconsin, have invented a new and Improved Croquet Game, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in croquet apparatus, and particularly relates to certain novel additions to the ordinary croquet-game apparatus in the nature of novel deflector-p0sts adapted to be placed in such relation to the wickets as to cant the balls olf at an angle, whereby to set them in a proper position before the next wicket to be passed, the purpose of such deflectors being to render the game more scientific and interesting.

The invention consists in certain improvements in the game apparatus of the character stated, such as will be hereinafter described in detail and then specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View illustrating a game of croquet with my deflector-posts in approved position. Fig. 2 is a Vertical section of one of the supplemental posts or neck members. Fig. 3 is a. horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

In the practical application of my invention I provide a number, preferably four, of supplemental members, consisting of short stakes or posts, which when set up for use are driven in the ground, one in front of each second Wicket and one to each side of the center wicket at a suitablesdistance from such wicket, as shown in Fig. 1. Each post 2 has a projecting or neck portion which has a springy or resilient action when struck by a ball, whereby to deflect the ball at an angle in any direction in accordance with the angle of impact of the ball thereagainst. On the score of economy of construction and durability I prefer to make each stake 2 of hickory 0r maple, the upper end 2 of which is round, while the shank 2 may be of any other shape in cross-section and pointed, so as to be readily driven in the ground, such shank having, however, a neck 2 of reduced diameter, the purpose of which will presently appear.

In use the stake 2 is driven into the ground the full length of its shank, so as to leave the head 2 projecting only. To hold the stake secure against becoming quickly loosened by the repeated impacts of the balls and to maintain it in such a rigid position as to provide for a proper springy action of the head, a metal ferrule 4 of a length somewhat greater than the neck 2 is provided, which is driven into the earth with the stake, its lower end snugly fitting the stake-shank, as shown in Fig. 2.

By providing the stake with a reduced neck portion and a ferrule adapted to form arigid support for the stake-shank it isobvious that the upper end of the stake will always be held in a position to vibrate when struck byaball without danger of loosening the shank in its ground-bearing. v

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be readilyseen that should the ball 8 be passed through the first two wickets 9 9 and made to engage the stake 2 ata proper angle such ball will be deflected in the direction indicated by 10 to a point in front of the first side wicket 11, it being understood that when passing the ball through the center wicket 12 in either direction it can be deflected at an angle to either side wicket.

It will thus be seen that by using the resilient stakes a ball can be passed through the two first wickets and placed in front of the side wicket and in some instances through such wicket by a single shot instead of two or three,as is necessary in the regular form of croquet apparatus.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a croquet or the like, a deflector-post hav- 7 ing a head, a reduced neck portion, a shank and a reinforce or ferrule engaging the shank portion, as specified.

WARNER c. LAKE.

Witnesses:

W. L. RIOKARD, ED. SERVIA. 

